The spectacular Indy 500 also fascinates F1 stars: but Lando Norris will never be seen at the Brickyard – Charles Leclerc also has his sights set on another race
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff summed it up after the Monaco Grand Prix, where, according to the Austrian, the “entertainment factor” – albeit more off the track than on it – is now the main focus: Because the real highlight “is coming tonight, that’s the Indy 500. That will be the sporting event,” Wolff explained on Sunday, revealing how he plans to watch the US classic: “With a pizza and a beer.”
However, not all Formula 1 stars were able to enjoy such a relaxed evening in the principality. The top three in particular were far from being let off the media leash after the race – with interviews, press conferences, debriefings and much more, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, looking ahead to the Indy start just a few hours after the F1 finish, said: “I’ll probably still be in a meeting. At Ferrari, we’re always very late, we always go home late.”
No wonder, then, that the local hero had to turn down McLaren’s Oscar Piastri’s invitation to watch the race together “at home on the couch.” He said he was fascinated by the racing action at the Brickyard: “It’s a crazy race. But I don’t think I’ll ever drive it. It’s just a different kind of madness,” said Leclerc, referring to the speeds on the steep wall.
Norris on the Indy 500: ‘I’ll never drive there.’
He added: ”I’m happy in Formula 1, I love Formula 1 and that’s my full focus. And when my career here is over at some point, there’s one thing I’d really like to do: race at Le Mans with my brother.” Leclerc’s brother Arthur, who is three years younger, is also a racing driver and is currently busy racking up miles in the Scuderia’s GT program in preparation for the adventure at La Sarthe.
Monaco winner Lando Norris, referring to Leclerc’s wish, adds: “Same here. I would also love to race at Le Mans with my brother, but he’s been out of the game for a while.” Regarding the Indy 500, where his McLaren team was represented by four cars again this year, Norris explains: “I just have enormous respect for these guys!”
Norris has a special connection to this year’s pole man Robert Shwartzman: “I was his teammate in Formula Renault in 2015 or 2016. It’s pretty cool to see him achieve something like this now.” Although the World Championship runner-up adds: “But it’s something I’ll never do. I can say that right now, I’ll never drive there.”
Norris explains: ”I’m just not that interested, it’s not my thing. I don’t enjoy it – although it was quite fun in the simulator.” Although he was “knocked out” back then, Norris smiles: “Luckily, it doesn’t hurt – you just press Escape and you’re fine.” In real life, given the dangers of the Indy 500, that’s not quite so straightforward…
“I have a lot of respect for these drivers,” says Norris, who also believes: ‘There are a lot of incredibly talented people in the US, some of whom could definitely make it in Formula 1.’ However, switching to their terrain is out of the question for him, which is why the Brit jokes: ‘I just like steering to the right sometimes.’
